In FIFA Zone UEFA, the qualification for the FIFA World Cup is scheduled from March 17, 2025 to March 31, 2026. In Europe, the 2026 World Cup qualifiers consist of two rounds: the group stage (Round 1) and the European play-offs. The countries on this continent cannot earn a ticket for the FIFA intercontinental play-offs. A total of 55 (or 54 if Russia is excluded) FIFA / UEFA countries will start these European World Cup football qualifying series. Sixteen of these European countries will qualify for the final round. They will be among a record 48 teams taking part in the finals of the 2026 World Cup football in North America. The schedule and the groups of the qualification of the UEFA countries for the FIFA World Cup soccer, with all matches, dates, times, and locations, are listed here. See also: Draw qualification World Cup 2026.

• 55 (or 54) countries participate in the European qualifiers;
• Round 1 | March 17, 2025 – November 18, 2025
  55 (or 54) participants play in twelve groups of four or five. The twelve group winners qualify directly. The twelve runners-up continue in the European play-offs;
• Round 2, UEFA play-offs | March 23-31, 2026
  Sixteen participants: the twelve group stage runners-up plus the four best-ranked group winners from the UEFA Nations League – excluding the teams that have already qualified or progressed from Round 1. Via four play-off knock-out paths of four, the four path winners will qualify as well;
• Sixteen UEFA countries will be part of the 2026 World Cup schedule.

Round 1 | World Cup football qualifiers Europe

March 17, 2025 – November 18, 2025

Standings

GROUP A	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

GROUP B	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

GROUP C	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

GROUP D	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

GROUP E	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

GROUP F	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

GROUP G	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

GROUP H	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

GROUP I	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

GROUP J	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

GROUP K	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

GROUP L	UEFA ROUND 1	P	W	D	L	PTS	GD
1	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
2	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
3	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
4	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Possibly 5	Known after draw	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

Fixtures

• Matchday 1: 17-25 March 2025 (only for groups of 5)
• Matchday 2: 17-25 March 2025 (only for groups of 5)
• Matchday 3: 2-10 June 2025 (only for groups of 5)
• Matchday 4: 2-10 June 2025 (only for groups of 5)
• Matchday 5: 1-9 September 2025
• Matchday 6: 1-9 September 2025
• Matchday 7: 6-14 October 2025
• Matchday 8: 6-14 October 2025
• Matchday 9: 10-18 November 2025
• Matchday 10: 10-18 November 2025
• Matchday UEFA play-offs: 23-31 March, 2026

Match round 1	TIME (local)	MATCH	GROUP	RESULT
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)

Match round 2	TIME (local)	MATCH	GROUP	RESULT
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)
17-25 03.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)

Match round 3	TIME (local)	MATCH	GROUP	RESULT
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)

Match round 4	TIME (local)	MATCH	GROUP	RESULT
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)
02-10 06.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)

Match round 5	TIME (local)	MATCH	GROUP	RESULT
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)

Match round 6	TIME (local)	MATCH	GROUP	RESULT
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)
01-09 09.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)

Match round 7	TIME (local)	MATCH	GROUP	RESULT
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)

Match round 8	TIME (local)	MATCH	GROUP	RESULT
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)
06-14 10.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)

Match round 9	TIME (local)	MATCH	GROUP	RESULT
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)

Match round 10	TIME (local)	MATCH	GROUP	RESULT
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	A (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	B (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	C (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	D (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	E (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	F (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	G (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	H (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	I (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	J (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	K (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)
10-18 11.2025	00:00	After draw	L (possible, t.b.c.)

Results

Live as soon as applicable

Format UEFA qualifiers Round 1

The FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Europe start with a group stage, consisting of twelve poules of four or five teams. These matches are played in accordance with the double round-robin format: the European countries play home and away against each of their group opponents. The twelve group winners qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup. The twelve group runners-up continue their European qualification roadmap, being part of the UEFA qualifying play-offs, starting with eight semi-finals, over four paths.

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Round 2 | World Cup football qualifiers Europe

March 23-31, 2026

Fixtures & results

PLAY-OFFS SEMI-FINALS	TIME	MATCHES PATH A	RESULT
23-31 03.2026	00:00	After draw
23-31 03.2026	00:00	After draw

PLAY-OFFS SEMI-FINALS	TIME	MATCHES PATH B	RESULT
23-31 03.2026	00:00	After draw
23-31 03.2026	00:00	After draw

PLAY-OFFS SEMI-FINALS	TIME	MATCHES PATH C	RESULT
23-31 03.2026	00:00	After draw
23-31 03.2026	00:00	After draw

PLAY-OFFS SEMI-FINALS	TIME	MATCHES PATH D	RESULT
23-31 03.2026	00:00	After draw
23-31 03.2026	00:00	After draw

PLAY-OFFS FINAL	TIME	MATCH PATH A	RESULT
23-31 03.2026	00:00	Winner SF1 – Winner SF2

PLAY-OFFS FINAL	TIME	MATCH PATH B	RESULT
23-31 03.2026	00:00	Winner SF1 – Winner SF2

PLAY-OFFS FINAL	TIME	MATCH PATH C	RESULT
23-31 03.2026	00:00	Winner SF1 – Winner SF2

PLAY-OFFS FINAL	TIME	MATCH PATH D	RESULT
23-31 03.2026	00:00	Winner SF1 – Winner SF2

Format UEFA qualifiers Round 2 Play-offs

Round 2 of the European World Cup football qualifiers is formed by play-offs. These consist of four paths: A, B, C and D. There are sixteen European nations participating in this phase, spread across the four paths. There are two semi-finals plus one play-off final on the program in each path.

In this final UEFA qualification stage, the twelve runners-up of the group stage are accompanied by the four best-ranked group winners from the UEFA Nations League 2024-2025, as long as these nations did not end as a number one (already directly qualified) or as a number two (already part of this Round 2).

In Round 2, the stakes are the last four European spots at the 2026 World Cup. Each play-off path has two mutual semi-finals, and one play-off final. Each of these final play-off encounters consists of a single match. The four play-off winners will join the other twelve European 2026 World Cup teams, making it sixteen in total.

Note: European teams will not participate in the inter-confederational World Cup qualifying play-offs.

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FIFA Intercontinental play-offs without European nations

A total of six national football teams, spread around the world, will have a second chance in the intercontinental FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying play-offs after the qualification phase on their own continent. There is no place for a UEFA country in that. The six countries participating in that mini-tournament are divided as follows. AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), OFC (Oceania) and CONMEBOL (South America) each receive one starting ticket. From CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean), two nations will qualify for these intercontinental 2026 World Cup play-offs. The reason for this is that CONCACAF will host the World Cup finals, in North America. The six countries compete for the last two (of 48) tickets that entitle them to participate in the World Cup in the three countries USA, Canada and Mexico.

Format cross-intercontinental play-offs
Although Europe does not participate in the six-nations intercontinental play-offs, we will briefly explain its format here. The four (of the six) qualified countries that are, at that moment, lowest in the FIFA Ranking are linked by a draw. The two winners then play against the two countries that (of those six) are highest in the FIFA Ranking. The two winners of those last two games will eventually get the last 2026 World Cup football tickets.

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World Cup football qualification in Europe: overview

The qualifying series in the FIFA zone UEFA for the 2026 Football World Cup runs from March, 2025 to March, 2026. In the qualifying zone of the European Football Confederation, 54 countries compete for sixteen tickets for the World Cup finals in North America.

Round 1

The FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Europe start with a group stage, consisting of twelve poules of four or five teams. These matches are played in accordance with the double round-robin format: each nation plays home and away against each of its group opponents. The twelve group winners of the qualifying groups in Europe qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup. The twelve runners-up participate in the UEFA play-off matches, together with four more European teams.

When: March 17, 2025 – November 18, 2025

Round 2 / Play-offs

The twelve runners-up of the qualifying groups in Europe participate in the UEFA play-off matches in Round 2. In these European play-offs, they will be joined by the four best-ranked group winners from the UEFA Nations League (2024-2025), excluding the teams which ended first or second in their World Cup qualifying group.

European play-offs: 4 remaining tickets
In the European play-offs, sixteen teams will fight for the four remaining World Cup football 2026 entrance tickets. They will be subdivided into four paths with four nations each. In each play-off path, there is a format of two mutual semi-finals, leading to four play-off finals in total. Each of these final play-off encounters consists of a single match. The four winners of the four play-off finals will join the other twelve UEFA nations which qualify directly, as group winners of the UEFA qualifying series.

When: March 23-31, 2026

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UEFA countries qualifying for the World Cup football

Sixteen countries qualify for the World Cup from the FIFA UEFA Zone. The total number of countries during the final round in 2026 is 48. This number is made up as follows.

FIFA ZONE	QUALIFY FOR WORLD CUP FOOTBALL 2026 | AVAILABLE SLOTS FIFA CONTINENTS
AFC	Minimum 8, maximum 9 countries (possible +1 via intercontinental play-offs)
CONCACAF	Minimum 6, maximum 8 countries (possible +2 via intercontinental play-offs) Host countries USA, Canada and Mexico are already automatically qualified
CONMEBOL	Minimum 6, maximum 7 countries (possible +1 via intercontinental play-offs)
OFC	Minimum 1, maximum 2 countries (possible +1 via intercontinental play-offs)
CAF	Minimum 9, maximum 10 countries (possible +1 via intercontinental play-offs)
UEFA	16 countries

54 UEFA nations in the 2026 World Cup football qualifiers

The following nations are from the FIFA Zone of the European Football Association. For the previous World Cup in 2022 in Qatar, thirteen countries from this UEFA continent managed to qualify. Namely Belgium (which finished in the first round at the previous World Cup), Croatia (semi-final / winner match for third place), Denmark (first round), England (quarter-finals), France (losing finalist), Germany (first round), Netherlands (quarter-finals), Poland (eighth-finals), Portugal (quarter-finals), Serbia (first round), Spain (eighth-finals), Switzerland (eighth-finals) and Wales (first round).

• Albania
• Andorra
• Armenia
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• England
• Estonia
• Faroe Islands
• Finland
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Gibraltar
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Israel
• Italy
• Kazakhstan
• Kosovo
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Northern Ireland
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Republic of Ireland
• Romania
• Russia (possibly suspended)
• San Marino
• Scotland
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Türkiye
• Ukraine
• Wales

See also: the positions of the UEFA teams in the FIFA Ranking.

Draw qualification World Cup football in the UEFA zone

Which countries play against each other in the World Cup qualification on the football continent of Europe? This mainly depends on the draw for the group stage. Besides the final group results, performance in the UEFA Nations League will also count towards participation in the European play-offs. The date of the draw of the UEFA World Cup qualifying series is published at Preliminary Draw World Cup Football.

World Cup football draw

FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) determine the final program with the dates and matches of each round in the UEFA qualifiers. Each schedule will be published at this UEFA World Cup qualification page. The European nations that qualify for the finals, will be part of the 2026 World Cup football draw. Click for info, date and location.

The information on this page is based on the official information from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), current and subject to changes.

Read back: earlier updates World Cup qualifiers Europe

On January 25, 2023, UEFA announced the following. The European qualification for the World Cup (and the European Championships) Football will change slightly, as of September 2024. There will be a new, more compact format with more pools consisting of fewer teams than before. In concrete terms, this means that the European qualification series for the FIFA World Cup will consist of twelve groups of four or five teams. This makes the competition more dynamic and less predictable. The format of pools with a double round-robin schedule remains.

The qualification series in the FIFA zone UEFA for the World Cup in 2026 will start 17-25 March, 2025. The World Football Association and the European Football Association decide on the definitive dates and schedule. However, the following is already known. Countries that end up in a group of five during the draw for World Cup qualification will play their first matches in March (17-25) 2025 or in June (2-10) 2025 (depending on their position in the UEFA Nations League of the 2024-2025 season). Countries drawn in a group of four will start the European qualification for the 2026 World Cup in September (1-9) 2025. Matchdays are 17-25 March 2025, 2-10 June 2025, 1-9 September 2025, 6-14 October 2025, and 10-18 November 2025. The play-offs are scheduled 23-31 March, 2026.

No European participant in the intercontinental play-offs
In the qualifying zone of Europe, 55 countries compete for sixteen tickets for the World Cup in North America. These sixteen countries qualify directly from the UEFA qualifying rounds – either the regular rounds or via de play-offs. Unlike in the other FIFA qualification zones, there is no ticket to be earned in Europe for the intercontinental World Cup qualification play-offs.

Final dates
The exact dates and schedule of the World Cup qualifying series in Zone UEFA also depend on the qualifying matches for the 2024 European Championship and the UEFA Nations League schedule.

It is known that a total of sixteen countries from this football continent earn a direct World Cup ticket through several qualifying groups. Some of the teams will qualify through rematches in the European play-offs. For the countries from Europe, however, there is no longer a resit via the intercontinental play-offs. In there, only countries from the other FIFA continents will play for the final two World Cup football tickets.

With sixteen participants in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Europe is already the most strongly represented. At the previous World Cup, in 2022 in Qatar, Europe supplied thirteen countries. The increase from thirteen to sixteen European countries at the World Cup is the result of the larger number of upcoming participating nations: 48.